As healthcare providers we sometimes lose sight of the business aspect of our business. As a fair exchange of trade we expect our service to be compensated by a patient and/or their insurance provider. Philosophically, our service has such great value more than money can provide rendering a price for our life altering/enhancing adjustment difficult to assess. So what separates us from the butcher, baker or candlestick maker, they also provide a service to their community, but our goal is to increase human potential, relieve chronic discomfort and free the imprisoned life force that generates from within. A mouthful for sure but if your mission statement reads as such and your community knows it, you are in business. So, the game is getting the message out and being prepared to deliver your product, chiropractic care.

 

If our chiropractic colleges taught on the level of a university business school, we would have covered statistical analysis, proper use of demographics, creating focus groups to increase awareness and using mathematical equations to run in the black reaching each pinnacle on the ladder towards more success. These tools are as important as your gifted adjusting hands.  A business without customers (patients) is like a ship adrift without wind on sail. The direction is clear but the means to get there may be cloudy.

 

Doctor, are you business savvy

 

With this in mind, let’s play a bit with the concept that we are the butcher, baker and candlestick maker. They open shop, purchase and maintain tools for their trade and use signage to make known they are open. With each new customer breeds another as word of mouth travels far and wide and if they are good at their trade, people flock. They spend frugally at first and expand when the numbers prove advantageous. They add products or enhance their unique style to attract more business. They save for future need and live within their means. As they prosper, they may spend to expand and reach out further while enjoying the fruits of their labor.

 

Is this or was this you? 

 

Have you used money wisely, invested in the best product, you, and have you expanded your knowledge providing the unique services that attract more to you? Have you been using business sense when promoting your practice, spending time and fortune to educate your staff and patients or are you overly emotional when purchasing equipment based on vendor exuberance or unfounded promises leaving your practice to wane without direction? 

 

The purpose of this message is clear and simple; in these economically trying times frugality and sound business sense is crucial for personal and practice sanity and solvency. Consolidation of ideas shared with colleagues is an excellent business decision allowing expansion with guidance and forethought. Thinking before spending is an excellent business decision since our closets may be full of ideas not implemented and tools of trade used rarely but still a burden creating debt.

 

To set you straight find a practice coach, join national, state and local chiropractic associations and get involved. Share if you are doing well or button up and listen if you need help.

 

We are a business and if ignored you’ll be chasing your tail spinning in circles rather than moving forward.

 

It’s all business, get in the game